STARING INTO THE ABYSS:

This is the entrance into one of the largest salt mines in Europe with caves running for more than 30 miles and
up to 1,200ft underground. It’s been
in operation since the mid-1960s and extracts as much as 30,000 tonnes of
salt per week for use in Ireland, Scotland and the rest of the UK plus America.
The network of man-made tunnels that are left behind after blasting also became the perfect Fiesta race track.
All of the mining machinery stays underground permanently and on site there is a fully functioning garage, right.
The only vehicles that return to the surface is the fleet of Land Rover Defenders that ferry the workers to and from the mine face. They are the only machines that rust because it’s a steady 16°C underground but the humidity rises when you return to the surface.

You arrive into what looks like a scene from a Bond movie, and at some parts you can be as deep as 1,200ft.

The temperature is always a constant 16°C, the salt creates a natural barrier to keep water out so it’s always dry and dusty, but to keep us all safe and sound, a skeleton crew was used for the three-day shoot.

The idea behind the advert was simple — it starts with factory Ford World Rally Championship driver, Elfyn Evans at the wheel of the new Ford hot hatch.

He’s stuck in traffic, and even though the new ST gives you more control and power than ever you can’t always enjoy it in the city — but what about under it?

The camera pans underground and you get the see the salt mine, or Undertrack, in all its glory.

TEA BREAK: Ford WRC driver Elfyn Evans takes some time out from filming

Elfyn was used for the filming in the city and some shots inside the car.

But all of the amazing stunt driving was carried out by British Rallycross champ Mark Higgins.

He’s a triple British Rally winner and currently leads the championship, and he’s been the stunt driver for Hollywood movies like James Bond and Fast and Furious, so blasting around a salt mine for a few days was a walk in the park for a man of his calibre.

Ford had three STs for the shoot, two would be the main cars used for filming and they had one on standby just in case something went wrong.

The cars used were totally standard, no suspension mods or engine tweaks, roll cage or hydraulic handbrake were fitted.

But if we have a look at the STs stats then we can see they have a vary capable package to start with.

STAR OF THE BIG SCREEN: The new Fiesta ST being put through it on the set of its new TV advert that is airing across Europe. Despite being fitted with standard suspension and no modifications, both cars survived unscathed after two intense days of filming on the rough and rutted mine floor and being subjected to repeated high speed runs, reverse donut and jumps.

DUST CLOUD: Salt is thrown up form the mine floor as Mark Higgins put the ST through its paces

The poor little Fiesta was taking a pounding but it’s a testament to how strong and tough the standard car is.

There were no mechanical failures or damage to either car and it even stood the rigours of me behind the wheel with Mark as my co-pilot, as we went for a little, legal, joy ride around the mine.

But it was only when I took the same car for a test drive back on normal roads that I could really feel and experience how good it really is.

Yes the movie car was left-hand drive but instantly you can see what all the fuss is about — the steering is fast and responsive, the suspension isn’t as stiff as the previous generation, but it sticks to the road like glue.

UNDERTRACK: The mine’s 40 mile network of tunnel makes the perfect setting for an action-packed advert

And acceleration is brisk, 0-62mph takes 6.4secs with a top speed of 144mph which is insanely fast for a Fiesta.

There are different driving modes, Normal, Sport and Track, and the latter was obviously used in the mine.

There’s also a optional Launch Control with shift light and mechanical limited-slip differential, that was essential underground, but something you should consider as it adds more grip when cornering and will launch you from a standing start like Usain Bolt on speed.

I’m counting the days until I’m reacquainted with the Fiesta ST and get to drive this manic little mine craft again.